Patent GB-189730543-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Machines for Printing in Colours.
Inventor: BOUVET GASTON ELIE
Filed: 1897-12-24
Granted: 1898-05-28
Abstract: 30,543. Bouvet, G. E., and Fix, E. A. Dec. 24. Lithographic and like printing ; rotary machines; feeding - apparatus for webs; set-off, preventing; inking-apparatus.-A rotary machine for printing in one or several colours is shown partly in side elevation and partly in section in Fig. 1. The printing- cylinders A<1>, A<2> are mounted in bearings h<7> contained within metal boxes i, which are adjustable towards or away fro:n each other by means of threaded shafts i<2> carrying worm-wheels actuated by worms i<7> and handles is ; a coiled spring i<11> surrounds each shaft i, and serves to obtain an adjustable pressure between the cylinders A', A<2> and the impression cylinder A, which is mounted in fixed bearings. The cylinders are geared together and are driven from the main shaft T<2>, carrying fast and loose pulleys T provided with an automatic coupling - mechanism. The paper or tissue to be printed passes from one or more rolls B, over a stretching-apparatus roller b<6>, cylinder C, and rigger C ; on reaching the roller C<1>, the paper or tissue K is joined by the doubler D, and both pass over a curved wooden frame F. The doubler is carried through the machine by means of endless chains G provided with points which pass through holes in the doubler, and an endless cloth E also joins the doubler as the latter passes over the roller C<1>. The cloth E, paper or tissue X, and the doubler pass over the frame F and then separate, the cloth E returning over the roller C', and the paper or tissue and doubler passing under the cylinder A and then along an upper frame F<1>; the chains G pass round the rollers C<8>, C<7>, C<9>, and, joining the paper or tissue and doubler, proceed along the frame F<1>. The tension apparatus comprises two fixed rollers b<5>, b<6> and one movable roller b<4> ; the positions of the rollers b<5>, b<6> can be adjusted within their bearing slots. The tension of the paper or tissue is regulated at will during the working of the machine by means of a brake under control of the operator ; this brake comprises a spring-controlled thong which passes over a portion of the paper roll. As the paper or tissue passes the roller b<6>, any lateral displacement is detected with the aid of pointed screws b<3>, which are carried by slides b; when lateral displacement is detected, the operator moves the feed-roller along its axle by any convenient means. When starting a second column, correct register is indicated by means of adjustable - pointed pins carried by horizontal bars, which are carried by endless chains d' travelling at the same speed as the paper or tissue ; the pins, when correct register is being obtained, pierce the paper or tissue at points previously printed by the zinc or zincs on the printing - cylinders. Each printing cylinder comprises a drum with recesses for receiving the ends of a zinc printing-plate, a colour bed being formed by that part of the cylinder which is not covered by the zinc ; the plate is mounted so as to be adjustable circumferentially or longitudinally. Damping - rollers J, distributing - rollers K, and inking-rollers L, and their respective - charging- rollers J<1>, K<1>, L' are mounted, as shown, above the printing-cylinders, and are fitted with apparatus for moving them towards or away from the cylinders at the proper times, and for giving the rollers K, L a longitudinal reciprocating movement. The spindles of the rollers J, K, L rest within spaces between suitably-shaped teeth formed in semicircular frames mounted to oscillate upon the shafts of the printing-cylinders; these frames are actuated, when required, by means of cams and hand-levers, so as to cause the rollers J, K, L to be lifted. The loose pulley on the driving-shaft T<2> is slightly wider than the fast pulley, so that it is kept running whether the machine is printing or not ; this loose pulley carries a toothed wheel which transmits motion to an automatic coupling and brake mechanism, which, under the control of a hand-lever, serves to start or stop the machine, and raise the rollers J, K, L from the printing- cylinders when the machine is being stopped. Water is supplied from a reservoir J<3> along flexible tubes j<9> to a perforated and flannel-covered hollow roller J<2>, which is mounted in bearings adjustable by means of screws and a hand-wheel j<19> ; the roller J<2> supplies the rollers J<1>, J with the water thus received. Each printing-cylinder is provided with an inking-apparatus arranged to supply two different colours when required. The ductor blade consists of a series of small plates, which are separately adjustable towards or away from the inking - cylinder by means of screws. The inking-cylinder is drives from the shaft v<1> or v<2> by means of an inclined shaft Q<9> and bevel gearing, and the inking-apparatus may be thrown iuto or out of action by means of a clutch ; arrangements are also provided for automatically disengaging this clutch when either cylinder A' or A' is moved backwards. Colour is transferred from the inking-cylinders to the printing-cylinders by rollers Q<5> mounted upon vertical forks, which are lifted when the inking-tables pass, by means of cams Q<7> and levers. q<20> carrying antifriction rollers. The printed paper or tissue X is wound upon a roll B', and, being charged with ink or colour, is blotted by a sheet of paper, which is unwound from a drum B<3>. The drum B' is driven with the required variable angular velocity by the aid of a friction pulley s, belt s<1>, pulley s<4>, bevel gearing a<17>, and shaft a<14>. When the design to be printed requires more than one colour and the printing of a second or later colour is to be commenced, the paper used for blotting a previous colour is wound upon a roll B<3>, which is driven at the required variable angular velocity by means of two speed pulleys or cones B<3>, which is driven at the required variable angular velocity by means of two speed pulleys or cones R, R<1> driven by bevel gearing a<8>, a<9>, a<12>, a<13>, a<16>, r<4> the bevel-wheel a<8> is mounted on the shaft of the cylinder A. The cord r' of the pulleys or cones is shifted automatically by a fork r<5> actuated by means of a cord r<9> and weight r<15> which descends under the control of a special wheel R<1> and mechanism connected therewith. When printing upon a very light tissue, the inking of the doubler is prevented by a sheet which passes from the roll B<4> and then round rollers C<6>, C<5>, C<4>, C<3>, and, after passing through the machine, this sheet is wound upon a roll B<5> driven by mechanism similar to that employed for driving the roll B<2>. The machine may be used for printing impressions of all kinds, typographic, copper-plate, or other.